Dear readers and friends,
Today I offer you an article on the wonderful world of shamanism with its herbs and beliefs.
HAWTHORN IN MYTH, LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE
Hawthorn is certainly the tree most closely associated with the Sidhe and the fairies. Even today, in the North, people are careful not to cut it down because doing so would incur the wrath of the little folk.
The name by which it is known in the Irish Brehon Laws is Sceith , a term derived from the Indo-European root sceth , meaning harm. The hawthorn was, in fact, a feared and respected tree . It was the quintessential gateway to the Otherworld. The presence of a hawthorn growing wild on the top of a hill indicated that that sacred place was populated by fairies. Even today, great care is taken to pass between three hawthorn trees arranged at an acute angle, because it is believed they can release a very strong, and probably even dangerous, power.
Furthermore, it has always been known that falling asleep under a hawthorn tree leads to the Otherworld . Many are the stories that tell of young men led by the queen of the fairies to her land. She is generous and dispenses knowledge and love, but the man will return to the land of mortals, waking hundreds of years later. The hawthorn is therefore the tree of enchanted sleep , but also the one who protects the Sleepers, so that in their wanderings in other lands, they can sleep protected and peacefully under its branches, without fear of danger. This was the case with Merlin, when it is said that Viviana, with a spell, made him fall asleep under a hawthorn tree, where perhaps he still sleeps, waiting to awaken when her return is necessary.
In English, however, the hawthorn is also called May . It is the guardian of this month, and its branches could only be gathered on Beltane, when the fairies were happy to share the flowers with humans. After the advent of Christianity, the hawthorn, and with it the month of May, took on a negative connotation, so much so that this month went from being a celebration of sacred sexuality and the union between feminine and masculine energies to actually becoming unfavorable for marriages. In the romance of Culhwch and Olwen , the hawthorn figures as the evil giant leader, Ysbadadden Benkawr, father of Olwen, the White-Braided One. The young Culhwch, Arthur's knight, wishes to marry the girl, but her father prevents him, setting the young man a series of tests. Even once he has passed them all, Ysbadadden will not allow the two young people to marry. This is certainly a reworking of Christian-era history, which explains the ban on getting married in the month of May.
Finally, in England, the hawthorn is associated with another ancient legend concerning Joseph of Arimathea. Legend has it that, after collecting the blood of Jesus Christ and burying him, he set out for Britain, where upon reaching Glastonbury, he planted his staff in the ground. The staff sprouted and became a hawthorn tree. To celebrate the miracle, Joseph of Arimathea decided to build a church next to the tree. The plant bloomed every Christmas, and a sprig of it was donated to the English monarchy. Naturally, the story was used to prevent the use of hawthorn flowers to celebrate Beltane and thus Christianize its use. The Glastonbury hawthorn was cut down by the Puritans during the Revolution.
USE OF HAWTHORN IN ANTIQUITY
To cure
First, it's known for its positive effect on the cardiovascular system and can be used to improve blood circulation, reduce blood pressure, and support heart health. Hawthorn is also a natural sedative and can help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and even improve sleep quality.
The bark , removed in autumn, is a febrifuge. Hawthorn can also be very useful for improving digestion and alleviating problems such as indigestion and bloating.
It's an antioxidant, containing antioxidants that can help fight free radical damage and support overall health. Furthermore, hawthorn is often used to calm emotional turmoil and relieve stress. Hawthorn essential oil is extracted from its flowers and is used in aromatherapy for its calming and relaxing effect. It can be diffused or added to a relaxing bath to promote a feeling of peace and tranquility. It stabilizes emotions and promotes a sense of emotional balance. Furthermore, it promotes sleep, as we've mentioned, and can therefore be used in this way. For example, a drop or two on a handkerchief placed near the pillow can help reduce insomnia.
The flowers , collected in spring, are antispasmodic sedatives.
The fruits are diuretic.
As a food source
The berries can be used to prepare herbal teas or infusions, which can be drunk simply for their sweetness.
Magical use
One of the magical properties of hawthorn is that of protecting against lightning . It is said, in fact, that this tree is never struck by lightning and that one can therefore take shelter under its branches during storms. To protect against lightning, but also against evil spirits , its branches were hung on the doors of houses, stables, and barns. This ensured the presence of harmony, joy, and love, gifts of the fairies. But perhaps the most important task of the hawthorn was to protect the springs and pools of sacred water , placed to guard them like an ominous and unpredictable Guardian. In Ireland, even today, springs are surrounded and protected by hawthorn trees, and many are adorned with offerings, candles, and votive statuettes given to the magical shrub in exchange for its subtle and powerful blessing and the benevolence of the natural spirits that dwell within it. Hawthorn is considered a symbol of love and engagement, and was used in rituals to strengthen romantic bonds or to attract love into someone's life. Furthermore, hawthorn offered protection against negative influences or evil spirits, so a hawthorn amulet or sprig was an excellent way to protect oneself. Hawthorn was also associated with purification, so burning a few hawthorn sprigs served to purify oneself. It was also seen as a symbol of vitality and renewal, and was used in rituals to overcome moments of tiredness or stagnation and to reinvigorate the spirit.
Huathe is hawthorn, and its essence represents the energy of cleansing and preparation, the cleansing of thoughts rather than physical actions. It frees the mind from negative thoughts and mental confusion, offering clarity. It also bestows patience, tranquility, and the ability to wait until the right moment arrives. It can be used in combination with Ailim to calm and create a clear picture of the path ahead. Sometimes the path can be obscured by too many thoughts, and this will clear them, allowing Ailim to reveal the horizon. It can be used as a symbol in the brow and throat chakras, thanks to its very important ability to clear the mind of negative, obsessive thoughts, and mental confusion.
It's like a fresh breeze that passes through the mind, clearing away clouds of confusion and bringing clarity. This mental clarity is invaluable for making important decisions and facing life with calm. Huathe, as mentioned, is considered a precursor to the energy of Beith, the birch letter we looked at previously, because while Beith focuses on clearing the past and creating a new beginning, Huathe is more oriented toward clearing current thoughts. Together, these two letters form a powerful duo for the complete purification of the mind and soul, so both can be used to cleanse the mind.
Furthermore, as we've said, Huathe bestows patience and the ability to wait for the right moment, because haste and impatience often prevent us from seeing situations clearly or making wise choices. This letter invites us to be calm and wait with confidence that the right moment will arrive, and therefore to avoid making premature moves that could jeopardize the process. Furthermore, as we've said, Huathe is often used to work on the brow and throat chakras. On the brow chakra, precisely because of its great ability to clear thoughts, while on the throat chakra, being the center of expression, it can help us improve our communication. As mentioned with the previous symbols or letters, you can write the letter on a piece of paper or carve it on a piece of wood or stone, or visualize the letter in your mind with the intention of clearing your mind of negative thoughts. You can concentrate on the letter. You can pronounce Huathe as a mantra to activate the energy of this symbol and imagine that the sound of the word brings mental clarity and tranquility, or work on the energetic level of the chakras we mentioned, the forehead and throat, bringing clarity and patience to your mind and your communication.
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